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Reviews

Seattle Symphony Hall 17th Feb 09

Chieftains
February 17
“The hall was packed and expectant for the arrival of a group that aren’t legends in the opinion of anybody, but in the opinions of everybody…….

But while they allowed a venting of their classics, Rocky Road to Dublin, Mná Na Héireann – a flute solo played by Matt Molloy, Mo Ghile Mear, The Foggy Dew and Cotton-eyed Joe, what was noticeable and admirable was that they found plenty premium space for up and coming artists.

Foremost among them was the Island of Lewis’s beautiful Alyth McCormack. Her solo album “People like me” is due for release next week, on February 23rd. Her lilting voice illuminated a hushed auditorium as an educated crowd, used to, and expecting quality, sat in awe as her incredible voice pierced the Benaroya’s expectant air. Her enunciation was so good, even an ignorant Lowlander like me, could tell it was the Scots Gaelic rather than the Irish. She sang both lullaby and what appeared to be a children’s counting song and then further demonstrated her versatility by singing in English and Irish Gaelic.

Chieftains, new and old, shine27.02.08

REVIEW – EVAN GILLEPSIE – Tribune Correspondent

SOUTH BEND, Indiana — The Chieftains’ Celtic party came once again to the DeBartolo

……….The true gem of the evening, though, was Scottish singer Alyth McCormack, whose crystalline voice soared whether she was singing traditional music in Scottish Gaelic or Irish ballads in English. When allowed to hold the spotlight with renditions of “puirt a’ bhéil,” the traditional rhythmic “mouth music,” she was nothing short of mesmerizing…..

Hi-ArtsWebsite Jennie Macfie 24.01.08

Alyth – Main Auditorium, The Glasgow Concert Hall 20.01.08

“……Blessed with a voice of great beauty and purity, any composer must rejoice to hear Alyth sing his work.

Names like Boo Hewerdine, Jim Malcolm, Brendan Graham and Del Amitri’s Justin Currie are checked in the introductions and Hewerdine ‘s “A Smuggler’s Prayer” about the plight of drug mules is particularly moving….. The CD’s title track ‘People Like Me’ is a heartfelt plea for tolerance in today’s Scotland, penned by Currie. Compellingly catchy even on first hearing, it provides a stirring end to the set and should, if there is any justice, be sung by festival crowds for a very long time to come.”

Steve Edge – The Rogue Folk Club, Vancouver – April 2008

“Most notable were the music supplied by Alyth McCormack and her fine band – comprising Jonny Hardie of Old Blind Dogs, Ewan Vernal of Capercaillie, and Brian McAlpine of Session A9”

Music Review: Moving Hearts, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

The glorious, crystal-clear bilingual vocals of support singer Alyth McCormack, from the Isle of Lewis, either in English or her native Gaelic, were a fitting introduction to what turned into a truly memorable show.

….And what a warm curtain-raiser, too, in Alyth McCormack….her wistful songs – either in English or her native Gaelic – made you want to get up on stage and hug her.

The Ptarmigan Duo – Donald Paton, FSA Scot and Wilma Paton FSA Scot – April 2008 [Donald and Wilma Paton form the Ptarmigan Duo and present a program of Scotland’s history and culture in song and spoken word in Canada and also in their native Scotland.]

“Alyth McCormack, a native Gaelic singer from the Isle of Lewis, making her first appearance in Vancouver together with back-up musicians confirmed that musical traditions are enduring. Their inspired and fresh performance of Scotland’s ancient music delighted the listening audience”.

“Whether upbeat and jovial or slow and sombre, each number performed on the opening night of the Hebridean Celtic Festival by Alyth was truly breath taking.”

The Scotsman – Review by Jim Gilchrist
The Queens Hall 2003

“Nothing short of riveting was Gaelic singer Alyth, whose voice soared from the outset in a beautifully poised sequence of mainly Gaelic material, couched in eloquently spare accompaniments from Aidan O’Rourke on fiddle, pianist Davey Trouton and Ewan Vernal on double bass. This was polished and engaging stuff, Alyth’s seemingly effortless singing ranging across the minimalist backdrop to generate some irresistible music tensions.

They threw in some atmosphere – coloured spotlights, wraiths of dry ice drifting about – but such effects were made virtually redundant by the quality of music and song.”

Scotland on Sunday 2002

“Anyone still needing convincing about the unique richness of Gaeldom’s heritage, or that it remains very much a living tradition, should lend their ears to Alyth for an hour. Exquisitively sensitive in nuance yet unerringly sure.

”The Scotsman – Dynamic Earth 2002“

Recent performances by this young Lewis singer, Showcasing material from the album she is currently recording with the producer Jim Sutherland have forcefully endorsed her fast-growing reputation as one or today’s most exciting talents in the world of Gaelic song. Catch her before she’s the next Karen Matheson”